Mandibular Displacement during Clenching in the Intercuspal Position

Abstract

Intercuspal position (ICP) is the most important position in all functional mandibular positions for the stomatognathic system. While the clenching level was gradually increased, dynamic stability of the ICP in 10normal subjects and 10patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) was evaluated from occlusal contacts, deviation of the incisal point of the mandible and bilateral anterior temporalis and masseter muscle activity.The obtained results were as follows:1. Increases in the clenching level produced changes in the location of occlusal contacts of ICP in TMD patients.2. During clenching of ICP, displacement of the mandible in TMD patients was greater than in normal subjects.3. During clenching of ICP, activity of the masseter muscle had a greater effect on the occlusal contact stability than the anterior temporalis muscle.